The folk dance called Lezim is a Maharashtrian folk dance. the dancers carry cymbals called Lezim therefore the lLeim is named after the musical instrument. During Gudi Padwa day every small corner of the city celebrates the festival and everyone dances and enjoys the Lezim dance. this dance is used as a fitness drill in the schools of Maharashtra as it contains numerous callisthenic moves that are very strenuous.
the dance was first performed internationally at the 9th Asian Games in the year 1982 in Delhi. At the event, 400 of the best Maharashtrian Lezim players gave a demonstration.
Performance of Lezim Dance
At first, there were very few variations in the Lezim dance which was practiced in the villages of Maharashtra but is not performed today.
There are various body movements that are the characteristic features of the Lezim dance. the movements include stepping, hopping, squatting, and bending. the dance movements are executed perfectly along with the proper strikes which are swung in 4-8 counts. The gestures which are adapted by the physical culturists in the exercises provide a rhythmic flow to the dance.
in the rural form of dance, the dancers stand in two rows and repeat and change the sequence of steps for every few beats. In a 5-minute Lezim performance, 25 steps are danced harmoniously. in another variation, there is a single circle formation or concentric circle formations like in the Garba dance. The dancers twirl while the opposite-row dancers play the Lezim. The steps are changed by the ring leader’s whistle.
Musical Instruments for Lezim Dance
the Dholak is the musical instrument used for this dance form. the Halagi and Cymbals are the musical instruments used in this dance form. the costumes worn by the dancers are colorful and this dance is used as a fitness drill for schools and other institutions.